In the 13 combined seasons Walsh spent as the Niners head coach (1979-88) and general manager (1999-2001), San Francisco used one first- or second-round pick on a wide receiver.

In 1985, the 49ers, coming off a 15-1 season and a 22-point Super Bowl win over Miami (read: no glaring weaknesses) traded up to select Jerry Rice with the No. 16 overall pick.

That worked out fairly well.

And so did San Francisco’s third-round selection of a wideout in 1986 – a guy named John Taylor. That was the only other instance in which the 49ers used a top-130 overall pick on a wideout during Walsh’s tenure as coach or general manager.

Fast forward to today. The 49ers are solidly constructed, but they have areas that could be addressed besides wide receiver. If they can’t re-sign Carlos Rogers – and don’t find an adequate replacement in free agency — cornerback will be an obvious area of need.

With Aldon Smith destined to be a starter next season and Ahmad Brooks headed to free agency, a situational pass-rusher to spell Parys Haralson could also be high on the draft list.

Since 1995, the Niners have used three first-round picks on wide receivers, netting two busts and one question mark: J.J. Stokes (1995), Rashaun Woods (2004) and Michael Crabtree (2009).

If his first two drafts are any indication, however, Trent Baalke has adopted Walsh’s philosophy.

Among his 18 draft picks, Baalke has taken two wide receivers, both sixth-round selections in Kyle Williams (2010) and Ronald Johnson (2011).